Improvement in gas-lighters



D. MccBAc'KEN- ghters.

Patented Feb. 181873.

Gas

AM. Pf/oroumoG/MPu/a ca Mx (ossola/15's macias) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

y,EDwnv D MCORAOKEN, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., Assienon TO LUOIUS A.

BIGELOW, TRUSTEE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

` IMPROVEMENT IN GAS-LIGHTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,084, dated February 18, 1872i.

To all/whom it may concern:

' Beit knownthat LEDwnv D.McGnAoKE1v, of the city, county, and State of New York,

have invented an Improvement in Apparatus lfor Lighting Illuminating'Gas, of which the ollowin g is a specification: v

fconvenient place, without interferingwith any lamps or burners to and from which it may be 4desired to let on or shut oi' the gas independently, y

In` carrying out my invention L use a reser- .goirlof y air orgas, preferably air,.at a pressure `higher than that ofthe illuminating gas, in [pplnnection with a system of main and service @pipes correspondinglwithmhe ordinary System` of main and service vpipes which supply the illuminating gas`; t and I employ in connection with eachburnei or group of burners to and from which the gas is to be let on and 'shut off, as above mentioned, a valvebox connected with the service-pipe which supplies the illuminating gas and also with the compressed-air or gas pipe, such valve-box containing a valve which lets on and shuts ed the gas from the burneror group of burners, and a diaphragm 'with which the said valve is connected,and which is so operated by the turning on of the main valve in the compressed-air or gas main as to producefthe openin g or closing of the said connected valve.V I further employ, in proper relation witheach illuminatipggasffburner, a

smaller pipe and bur'which are also in connection with'thevalve-box aforesaid, or with the servicepipe which supplies the said box, such smaller pipe 'not having the gas shuto .from it by thediaphragm and connected valve aforesaid, but alwayssupplying gastoits own burner in a small jet, which .is always kept lighted, 'and by which the gas, when'let on to the illuminating-burner is ignited. l

My invention consists mainly in the novel construction ofthe valve-boxand novel arT rangement of its valve and diaphragm, and of .thepipes in connection with it,.,whereby the operation of letting on, lighting, and shutting' oi' the gas is effected.

The drawngillu'strates, in vertical section,

I'the applicationof the invention in connection with a single burner.

A is the valve-box, of suitable formV and size,

Y divided-by ixed partitions R and a and a flexible diaphragm, D, into fourcompartments or chambers, B1, BfBF, and B4, withthe first or lowest one, B1, of which the ordinary service or supplypipe E from the illuminating-gas main is connected, and with the third one, B3, of which,

next above the flexible diaphragm D, the small service or supply pipe Gfrom the high-pressure air or gas main is connected. The uppermost compartment B4 has connected with it the pipe M, to which the illuminating-burner L is at, tached, and the lowest one,B1, has connected with it the small pipe H, to which the ignitingburner J is attached. The two compartments B2 and B are connectedV by a short pipe, e, whichpasses outside of the compartment Bi, and -these two constitute, virtually, a single chamber. In thecenter of the partition a there is v`an air-opening, in which is the seat for the valve S, which opens with a downward move ment, and which has applied to its stem d a Y spiral sprin g, K, which exerts an upward pressure upon it, and a consequent tendency to close it. The upper part of the said stem is connected with the flexible diaphragm D. Guides b and o are attached to the partition a to keep the-valve-stem upright. The pipe E is fitted with a valve or cock, I, of any kind which is capable of a very iine adjustment to regulate the supply of gas to the igniting-burner to produce avery small jet. The illuminating-burner .L has provided in one side, and extending upward to its tip, a small groove, w, into which the tip of the igniting-burnerJ enters, and in which the jet of iiame from the latter burner is concealed during the day-time and protected from being blown out, and by which the said jet is directed to the tip of the illuminatingburnerL.

The operation is as follows: The lower compartment Bl of the valve-boxl is always kept filled with gas, and furnishes, throughithe pipe H,a supply to the igniting-burner, which is intendedto be always kept lighted. The spring K keeps the valve-S closed`,` ,`"'and so prevents any gas from being supplied 'to rthe burner L untilthe compressed air or high-pressure gas is turned on by the oook or valve at the central or other station, when such air or gas,

entering by the pipe Gr into the chamber' B3,

pressesvdown the diaphragm D and opens the valve- S, allowing the illuminating-gas from the pipe E and chamber B2 to enter the chamber B2, whence it passes freely to the chamberv 4,cept from the igniting-burner J, where sufcient iaine is'left for lighting up again.

yIt will. be understood that any number of ,burners or sets 0r groups of burners connect ed in a similar manner with the gas and compressed-air pipes, and vfurnished each with a similar valvebox and valve, may simultaneously be operated upon in a similar manner by the opening vand closing of a single valve or cock suitably placed in the compressed air man1.

When one valve and diaphragm are to be used for a setor group of burners the valvebox may havel attached to it either a number of pipes, EI, corresponding with the number of burners or asingle pipe, H, with a number of branches corresponding with the number' of burners.

In' the application of the invention to streetlamps it is desirable, in order to prevent the 'blowing out of the' very small ame whijeh is left at the burners J when illumination is not required, that the bottom of the lamp should be made of finelyperforated metal or wire gauze which will admit air enough for combustion at all times, but prevent gusts or strong drafts of wind from entering the lamp.

What I claim as my invention, and desirez to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The arrangement within and in connec.`

tion with the valve-box A ofthefixed partitions R` a, diaphragm D, valve S, spring K, andpipes E, Gr, M, H, and e, substantially as herein described, whereby the, entire operation of letting on, lighting, andv shutting o' the gas is ei'eeted by the action of asin gle valvwithin the box. l

2. The groove w in the .illuminating-burner, in combination with the igniting-burner, substantially as and for the 'purpose her'ein set forth.

E. D. MOCRACKEN.' Witnesses:

FRED. HAYNEs, R. E. RABEAU. 

